Vent valve

Abstract

A pipeline vent valve is disclosed having a housing that includes an upper portion defining an outlet and a lower end defining an inlet. A body disposed in the housing is movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the body affects the close of the outlet and the outlet is offset from a longitudinal axis of the body. A valve assembly is supported by an upper end of the housing and is movable between a closed position where the valve assembly is disposed in sealing engagement with the outlet and an open position where the valve assembly is out of sealing engagement with the outlet. The valve assembly is responsive to a level of fluid in the housing and includes an arm that is pivotally secured adjacent the outlet for movement in only one plane relative to the outlet.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A vent valve comprising:
 a housing comprising a cylinder having an upper cap at one end and a lower cap at another end, the upper cap having an outlet offset from a longitudinal axis of the vent valve, the lower cap having an inlet;   a body slidingly received in the housing, the body being responsive to a level of liquid in the housing;   a valve assembly secured to the underside of the upper cap, the valve assembly comprises an arm that is movable between a first position wherein the valve is in an open position and a second position wherein the body causes the arm to seal the outlet such that the valve is in a closed position;   wherein the arm is restricted to move in only one plane relative to the outlet; and   wherein the arm has a first end that is pivotally secured to the upper end of the housing adjacent the outlet to constrain movement of the first end of the arm to be pivotal thereabout.   
     
     
         33 . A vent valve comprising:
 a housing for housing a body which is movable between a first position and a second position, the body operably affecting the close of an outlet disposed in an upper portion of the housing when the body is in the second position, the housing being disposed in fluid communication with a pipeline, the housing having an inlet in its lower end, the outlet being offset from a longitudinal axis of the body;   a valve assembly supported by an upper end of the housing, the valve assembly being movable between a closed position wherein the valve assembly is in sealing engagement with the outlet and an open position wherein the valve assembly is out of sealing engagement with the outlet, the valve assembly being responsive to a level of fluid in the housing; and   wherein the valve assembly comprises an arm having a first end that is constrained to be pivotally secured adjacent the outlet, the arm being pivotally secured such that the arm is restricted to move in only one plane relative to the outlet.   
     
     
         34 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the outlet is closed and fluid and gas are able to migrate into the housing when the body is in the first position. 
     
     
         35 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the body is a float that causes the movement of the valve assembly between the closed position and open position as a result of a change in the level of fluid in the housing. 
     
     
         36 . The vent valve according to  claim 35 , wherein a portion at the second end of the arm is adapted to engage the float. 
     
     
         37 . The vent valve according to  claim 36 , wherein the portion supports a bobbin that engages the float as the float moves upwardly, the portion having a slot in which the bobbin is variably supported. 
     
     
         38 . The vent valve according to  claim 37 , wherein the upper cap has a recess therein for receiving an upper end of the bobbin. 
     
     
         39 . The vent vent valve according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the fluid and gas in the housing accumulates in the upper part of the housing and surrounds the float such that the only pressure exerted upon the float is that of at least one of the gas and fluid. 
     
     
         40 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the housing is a cylinder having an upper cap incorporating the outlet and a lower cap incorporating the inlet. 
     
     
         41 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the valve assembly further comprises a post, the post being secured to a planar surface of the upper cap. 
     
     
         42 . The vent valve according to  claim 41 , wherein the post is secured to the upper cap at a position adjacent the outlet and wherein the post has two extending supports between which the arm is pivotally constrained, the arm being retained at the first end thereof by a pin, the pin passing through the first support, through the first end of the arm, and through the second support such that the arm is restricted to move in a plane substantially orthogonal to the upper cap. 
     
     
         43 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the arm incorporates a sealing member that seals the outlet when the valve is in the closed position, the sealing member being made of a resilient material that is vulcanized and attached to the arm. 
     
     
         44 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the outlet allows for a large venting capacity, the diameter of the outlet being greater than 5 mm. 
     
     
         45 . The valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the arm of the valve assembly provides a levering configuration with a 6:1mechanical advantage. 
     
     
         46 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the valve assembly moves to its closed position in response to the level of fluid in the housing exceeding a predetermined level. 
     
     
         47 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the vent valve is a one way valve such that gas only vents through the outlet. 
     
     
         48 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the vent valve is fire resistant. 
     
     
         49 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the vent valve is rated to 1600 kPa. 
     
     
         50 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the valve assembly includes a bobbin that engages the body and wherein the upper end includes a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the bobbin to affect the closing of the outlet. 
     
     
         51 . The vent valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the closed position is affected when the body is in the second position and wherein the body only acts on the valve assembly when moving from the first position to the second position, movement of the valve assembly from the second position to the first position being affected by a weight of the valve assembly under gravity. 
     
     
         52 . A pipeline vent valve comprising:
 a housing connected to and disposed in fluid communication with a pipeline, the housing having an inlet in its lower portion and an outlet in an upper portion;   a valve assembly supported in the upper portion of the housing that is movable between a closed position where the valve assembly is disposed in sealing engagement with the outlet and an open position where the valve assembly is out of sealing engagement with the outlet, the valve assembly being responsive to a level of liquid in the housing; wherein the housing and valve assembly are made from fire resistant material; wherein the valve assembly includes an arm having a first end that is constrained to be pivotally secured at a point adjacent the outlet to rotate about that point, the arm being pivotally secured such that the arm is restricted to move in only one plane relative to the outlet; and wherein the valve assembly is secured to a planar surface of an upper cap of the housing so as to enable accurate assembly whereby the valve assembly operably seals the outlet with improved operation.   
     
     
         53 . The vent valve according to  claim 52 , wherein the outlet is offset from a longitudinal axis of the housing.